When to Seek Care for Illness
Most respiratory illnesses can be managed at home. However, you should seek urgent care if you experience:
- Persistent fever
- Worsening cough or congestion
- Dehydration or inability to keep fluids down
- Symptoms that improve and then suddenly worsen
You should seek emergency care (call 911 or go to the emergency department) if you experience:
- Trouble breathing
- Chest pain
- Confusion or difficulty staying awake
- High fever that does not respond to medication
It is especially important to act quickly for young children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with chronic health conditions.
When in doubt, getting checked out can provide clarity and peace of mind. Urgent care centers can test for infections, offer treatment options, and make sure nothing more serious is going on.
When to Seek Urgent Care
It is not always clear where to go when something unexpected happens with your health. Should you wait for a primary care appointment, head to urgent care or go straight to the emergency department?
ExpressCare Urgent Care Centers fill an important gap, offering quick treatment for issues that need attention but are not life-threatening.
Understanding when to use urgent care can save you time, money and unnecessary stress.
ExpressCare is designed for situations that cannot wait a few days but do not require emergency services. Think of it as a middle ground between your doctor’s office and the emergency department. We offer extended hours, including evenings and weekends, as well as telemedicine.
Common reasons to visit urgent care include:
- Cold, flu or respiratory symptoms
- Sore throat, earache or sinus pressure
- Minor infections (UTI, pink eye, skin infections)
- Rashes or mild allergic reactions
ExpressCare also offers PCR testing for flu, RSV and strep, as well as imaging services like X-rays when needed.